Lyft puts $700K toward Oakland’s underserved communities

Lyft is donating $700,000 to TransForm, an organization focused on improving access to transportation in underserved areas throughout California. In partnership with Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf, Lyft and TransForm will invest in a free bike library and community parklets in Oakland, Calif. Lyft will also offer free rides to low-income residents of Oakland.

“At Lyft, we believe it is our civic responsibility to make cities better places to live,” Lyft co-founder and President John Zimmer said in a statement. “We know that transportation is a major key to unlocking economic mobility. We also know that transportation has been inaccessible for far too many communities for far too long. We have a unique opportunity to set a new standard for transportation equity and inclusiveness.”

Lyft, which bought bike-share behemoth Motivate for about $250 million last July, is working with these organizations to figure out the best places to put bike-share stations. In addition to Lyft offering free rides and a $5 per month pass for bikes and scooters, the money will also enable East Oakland Collective to offer subsidized AC Transit passes for qualifying residents.